FOXBORO – After James White got drafted, Bill Belichick was quick to compare the rookie running back to Shane Vereen. After watching three days of training camp, it’s easy to see why.

FOXBORO – After James White got drafted, Bill Belichick was quick to compare the rookie running back to Shane Vereen. After watching three days of training camp, it’s easy to see why.

White, like Vereen, has displayed strong hands out of the backfield and that was seen on Saturday. When Brady and the offense practiced their two-minute drill against the defense, he hit White with two of his six passes. On Thursday, in the same drill, Brady hit Vereen with three of his six passes.

“I’ve learned a lot. He’s a guy that has a similar style as me,” White said about Vereen. “I go out there and ask what he sees on plays so I can go out there and add it to my game.”

White stood out on Saturday, showing off his versatility. Not only did he catch passes, but he broke off a few big runs when lined up against the defensive line. The fourth-round pick could position himself to make an impact as a rookie.

Entering his fourth season, Vereen said he and Stevan Ridley have taken it upon themselves to lead their position group and have been impressed with the younger running backs so far.

“Definitely I think it’s in our role. I think it’s the way we carry ourselves around here — always picking everybody up and bringing everybody along at the same time,” Vereen said. “The young guys have done a great job working hard. They’ve done well for themselves.”